Hey guys

Sorry that took me so long. I had to do some work for university and I'm sure you all agree, that this should be a priority. Anyway: here's the next chapter. Finally

Chapter 13

There was no routine the first morning. Becker went to bed after dinner and the others spent their evening working, because somehow both Matt and Jess knew they would be late the next day. They were right. They woke up at a time, that gave them plenty of time to get to the ARC, but neither Matt, nor Jess had planned to deal with the other. The soldier was already awake and lying on the sofa with a book on his legs, so he could reach the pages without moving the arm. They smiled and headed for the bathroom. Being the gentleman he was raised to be, Matt let Jess go first, though he didn't think about how long she would take. In that time he sat down next to Becker.

"How did you sleep?"

"Pretty good.", the soldier answered with a smile. "Though this feels more like a hotel, than a home." Matt nodded. He couldn't really relate, but he somehow understood. All of his personal items were missing. And most importantly he had no good memory of this place. "How did you sleep?"

"Really good. I've been sleeping on my couch for most of the time, so sleeping in a bed feels amazing." Becker smiled at this. Matt was still some kind of a mystery to him, but they got along and they respected each other.

"Do you really think Emily can handle taking care of me?" Matt smiled.

"Yes. Remember what time Emily is from. In that time, women were prepared to become mothers and take care of families. She'll handle it just fine, as long as you teach her how to use most of this stuff. Think of it as give and take situation. She can offer you the help you need, while you can teach her about this world." If this hadn't been the case, Becker would have put up much more of a fight against this arrangement. "Let's just see how it goes and if it doesn't work out, we'll find another solution."

"It will.", Becker answered. He was sure of it. It would take some getting used to, but he was positive, that this arrangement would work and that his friends would do anything to help him. Matt glanced at the clock. "Don't bother. She'll take at least another 10 minutes."

"How do you know that, Becker?", Matt asked puzzled.

"I've got a sister. Trust me. My sister could drive me nuts whenever she got into the bathroom first. Tomorrow: Get in there first."Matt gently put his hand on Becker's knee and nodded.

"If you say so." Emily chose that moment to walk in.

"Good morning.", she said, a shirt wrapped around her slim body. Becker recognized it right away and looked at Matt, silently asking the friend why she was wearing his shirt.

"What? She likes it and it's not like I need it at the moment." Becker nodded, trying not to show his bright smile. Something told him he would really like this arrangement. And if it put him in the position to mercilessly tease Matt, then so be it. Emily sat down next to Matt and eyed him curiously.

"Why aren't you in the bathroom getting ready?", she asked.

"Jess is in there. He needs to wait until she's ready.", Becker explained. Why was this situation so damn domestic and why did it feel so damn good? He was basically living with one of his best friends, his girlfriend and her best friend. It felt a little too good for him to believe it. But he wouldn't say it out loud. Emily's hand traced lazy circles on Matt's shoulder while they sat there. Their team leader had his eyes closed again, as if he was tired, but Becker knew he was allowing himself to enjoy Emily's touch. He lets his head sink back until they hear Jess coming out of the bathroom. She wears a pink minidress, which Becker had never seen before, but it looked good on her. Matt got up slowly to get himself ready and Jess took his seat on the couch.

"So, what are you two doing today? I could tell you soooo many places you could visit. You'll have a lovely day." The young field-coordinator smiled brightly at her two friends.

"We won't go anywhere, Jess.", Emily answered, smiling equally brightly.

"Oh why not?"

"Because Becker is still injured and he has just been released yesterday. I might trust him to take care, but other people could run into him and the wounds could open up, so we're going nowhere for now." Jess looked sad, but she understood what Emily meant. It was still too risky.

"But call me if you need any entertainment."

"Jess. We'll be fine. I am positive, that Captain Becker will keep me good company." Jess nodded. There was a hint of sadness about her, that neither Emily, nor Becker could quite understand. But Matt had a feeling about it, as he came out of the bathroom at the same time jess decided to walk into her room.

He smiled at her, but remained silent. He wanted to talk to her about it, when they drove down to the ARC. There was plenty of time to talk to her during that day. He walked into the living room again, before finally heading out with Jess, leaving the two of them alone for the first time. Emily got up.

"How about I make us breakfast now?", she suggested. Becker nodded eagerly. He had the feeling, that Emily was a brilliant cook. And if the sandwiches the evening before were any indication, he was right with that feeling. And he was.

...*-*...

When Matt had time at work that day, he chose to talk to Jess. He leaned against the ADD and looked at her. She seemed normal here. But the ADD was always a place she felt safe at. He knew that, just like everybody else did. So this was the place she would most likely tell him something, since she had a way to get rid of him.

"Hey Jess."

"Hi Matt.", she answered and looked up to him. Her smile didn't really reach her eyes and he had a feeling he might know the reason.

"It's strange not having Becker around, isn't it?" She nodded.

"He's been on medical leave before, but this time it's so much worse, Matt." The team leader nodded. He understood why she thought of this as so much worse. Becker was able to get back to work only about over a week after he was injured. But this would take longer. The bullets injured not only his flesh, but also muscles, muscles that would take so much longer to heal. He would have to endure a long recovery, because he had to train his movements again, as soon as he was allowed to move again.

"I know. But you'll see him after work", he noted.

"I know, but that's not what makes me sad. Of course I'll be able to see him, I'll be closer to him, than I ever was but I'd prefer not being close to him, if it meant he was okay. I just want him to be okay, Matt. And I hate Ethan."

"So do I, Jess. Next time we meet him, he'll have to deal with a bullet in his body." Jess' eyes widened.

"You can't kill him, Matt!"

"I didn't say anything about killing. But I will shoot him, if Becker doesn't beat me to it. I won't kill him, but I will hurt him for what he did to Emily, you and Becker." Suddenly the field coordinator got up, to hug Matt. She held onto him for minutes, looking for comfort, which he tried to give her, by holding her, as long as she held onto him.

...*-*...

Abby and Connor visited them that evening. Becker and Emily sat in the living room of the flat Abby and Connor used, after finding back to their time, not too long ago. The TV showed news, which he seemed to be watching intently. Emily sat next to Becker on the couch, knitting something, while watching the news as well. They seemed happy. Matt walked towards them, smiling at them, while Jess remained standing in the door, watching them, as Emily gently nudged Beckers leg. She really didn't like the way he looked at Emily. But Connor's appearance made them all forget whatever they were doing. He threw himself between Becker and Emily and smiled at them.

"We're having a party.", he announced happily. Becker rolled his eyes.

"We're having dinner, Temple!"